US politicians have launched a fresh bid to stop overseas internet gambling sites reaching American users. The move comes in the shape of a new bill being introduced in the House of Representatives with support from both Republican and Democrat members. The bill aims to extend existing laws that ban interstate telephone gambling. It would, however, fall foul of a World Trade Organization ruling last August that the US must not block online gambling sites based overseas. The WTO made the ruling after backing a complaint made against the US by the Caribbean island of Antigua, which is home to a number of internet betting websites. Under the WTO ruling, the US was given until April of this year to bring its legislation into line or else face sanctions, such as fines or tariffs. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk

Israel’s acting prime minister weighed sanctions Friday against a Hamas-dominated Palestinian Authority, including barring thousands of Palestinian workers, sealing off the Gaza Strip and formally branding the authority an enemy.Ehud Olmert was briefed on the proposed sanctions and the Cabinet was to make a final decision on whether to implement them on Sunday, a day after the new Palestinian legislature is installed.In Gaza, the Islamic militant group’s apparent choice for prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, accused Israel of inflicting collective punishment. “Our people will not ... kneel before such Israeli measures,” said Haniyeh.The 46-year-old Haniyeh is a relative moderate and his nomination would be a sign of pragmatism by Hamas leaders. But Haniyeh, who has served as a liaison between Hamas and the outgoing Fatah-led government, said Friday a final decision on the prime minister’s role had not been made yet....http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11406841/from/RSS/

One group of Texas Democrats says it'll have to reconsider its endorsement of a candidate for the state legislature -- now that he's acknowledged he once worked as a prostitute.Tom Malin of Dallas concedes his past could cost him the nomination for state representative in the Democratic primary in March, but he says he's still committed to his campaign.Malin says he's been sober for 13 years after being addicted to alcohol and suffering an abusive childhood. He tells the Dallas Morning News he doesn't regret his past because he can still "be a viable member of the community." ...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11407613/from/RSS/

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have vowed to keep up strong diplomatic pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme. After talks in Berlin, Mr Blair said the issue should be tackled "strongly but through the diplomatic means". Ms Merkel again said Iran had "crossed the red line" by resuming its controversial programme this month. Mr Blair also rejected Iran's call to withdraw UK troops from southern Iraq, saying the troops had "a UN mandate". Tehran's demand for the British pullout from the city of Basra was voiced earlier on Friday by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4722532.stm

The UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has said the United States must shut down Guantanamo Bay prison camp "as soon as is possible". Mr Annan backed a UN report calling for the closure of the camp where some 500 "enemy combatants" have been held without trial for up to four years. He said he did not agree with all findings, but said detainees could not be held "in perpetuity" without charge. The White House has dismissed the report as "a discredit to the UN". The UN says the US should try the approximately 500 inmates, or free them "without further delay". Mr Annan said bringing the detainees to trial would allow them to explain themselves. Only a handful of detainees have been tried so far. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4722534.stm

A federal judge refused to set bail for terror suspect Jose Padilla on Friday after hearing about his extensive travel overseas and his history of skipping bail in criminal cases. U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke upheld another judge's ruling that Padilla would remain jailed without bond because he likely would attempt to flee prosecution and remained a danger to the community.Padilla, a 35-year-old U.S. citizen and former Chicago gang member, is charged with being a recruit for a North American terror cell that provided fighters, money and supplies to Islamic extremists around the world.He was held for 3 1/2 years by the military as an "enemy combatant" before he was charged in civilian court late last year....http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,185239,00.html